The Federal Trade Commission has officially closed its ongoing
investigation into the business dealings of
Ultimate Fighting Championship parent company Zuffa, LLC.

The FTC’s Bureau of Competition began its nonpublic investigation
of the company last year following Zuffa’s acquisition of Explosion
Entertainment, the parent company of Strikeforce
-- then the UFC’s biggest competitor.

According to a letter sent from FTC Secretary Donald S. Clark to
Zuffa attorney Stephen Axinn, the FTC conducted the investigation
to determine whether the acquisition violated either Section 5 of
the Federal Trade Commission Act, which discusses deceptive or
unfair business practices, or Section 7 of the Clayton Act, which
addresses monopolies.

“Upon further review of this matter, it now appears that no further
action is warranted by the Commission at this time. Accordingly,
the investigation has been closed,” Clark wrote. “This action is
not to be construed as a determination that a violation may not
have occurred, just as the pendency of an investigation should not
be construed as a determination that a violation has occurred. The
Commission reserves the right to take such further action as the
public interest may require.”

Zuffa acquired Strikeforce and the promotion’s fighter roster last
March. Since the purchase, three of Strikeforce’s five male
champions made successful UFC debuts, as Nick Diaz,
Dan
Henderson and Alistair
Overeem all earned Octagon victories last year. Currently, only
lightweight champion Gilbert
Melendez and middleweight titleholder Luke
Rockhold hold Strikeforce gold, while titles in three weight
categories remain vacant.

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